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Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientists’ productivity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and medicine fields

Author

Listed:
  • Seulkee Heo

    (Yale University)

  • Alisha Yee Chan

    (Yale University
    Yale University)

  • Pedro Diaz Peralta

    (Yale University
    Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

  • Lan Jin

    (Yale University)

  • Claudia Ribeiro Pereira Nunes

    (Yale University
    Federal University of Amazon)

  • Michelle L. Bell

    (Yale University)

Abstract

While studies suggested adverse impacts of COVID-19 on scientific outputs and work routines for scientists, more evidence is required to understand detailed obstacles challenging scientists’ work and productivity during the pandemic, including how different people are affected (e.g., by gender). This online survey-based thematic analysis investigated how the pandemic affected scientists’ perception of scientific and academic productivity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and medicine fields. The analysis examined if inequitable changes in duties and responsibilities for caregiving for children, family, and/or households exist between scientists who are mothers compared to scientists who are fathers or non-parents. The survey collected data from 2548 survey responses in six languages across 132 countries. Results indicate that many scientists suffered from delays and restrictions on research activities and administrations due to the lockdown of institutions, as well as increased workloads from adapting to online teaching environment. Caregiving responsibility for children and family increased, which compromised time for academic efforts, especially due to the temporary shutdown of social supports. Higher percentages of female parent participants than male parent participants expressed such increased burdens indicating unequal divisions of caregiving between women and men. A range of physical and mental health issues was identified mainly due to overworking and isolation. Despite numerous obstacles, some participants reported advantages during the pandemic including the efficiency of online teaching, increased funding for COVID-related research, application of alternative research methodologies, and fluidity of the workday from not commuting. Findings imply the need for rapid institutional support to aid various academic activities and diminish gender inequity in career development among academicians, highlighting how crisis can exacerbate existing inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Seulkee Heo & Alisha Yee Chan & Pedro Diaz Peralta & Lan Jin & Claudia Ribeiro Pereira Nunes & Michelle L. Bell, 2022. "Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientists’ productivity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and medicine fields," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:9:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-022-01466-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-022-01466-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tatyana Deryugina & Olga Shurchkov & Jenna Stearns, 2021. "COVID-19 Disruptions Disproportionately Affect Female Academics," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 111, pages 164-168, May.
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    4. Carolyn Coyne & Jimmy D Ballard & Ira J Blader, 2020. "Recommendations for future university pandemic responses: What the first COVID-19 shutdown taught us," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-6, August.
    5. Annette Clancy, 2020. "On mothering and being mothered: A personal reflection on women's productivity during COVID‐19," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 857-859, September.
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    1. Magdalena Gil & Constanza Hurtado-Acuna & Máximo Quiero-Bastías & Marigen Narea & Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar, 2023. "Unequal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on researchers: evidence from Chile and Colombia," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Barbour, Natalia & Abdel-Aty, Mohamed & Sevim, Alican, 2024. "Intended work from home frequency after the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of socio-demographic, psychological, disability, and work-related factors," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    3. Gabriela Ortiz-Martínez & Patricia Vázquez-Villegas & María Ileana Ruiz-Cantisani & Mónica Delgado-Fabián & Danna A. Conejo-Márquez & Jorge Membrillo-Hernández, 2023. "Analysis of the retention of women in higher education STEM programs," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.

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